Jack Ogden- Diamonds: Brilliant Diplomacy

We are delighted to announce that the distinguished historian and gemmologist Jack Ogden, uncle of the current directors of Ogden of Harrogate, is giving an exclusive talk at the Mercer Gallery on 5th March 2020!

Jack Ogden PhD FGA FSA is a distinguished historian specialising in gems and jewellery. Born into a family of jewellers he also showed a strong early interest in archaeology and Egyptology. A visit to the exhibition Tutankhamen and His Time at the Petit Palais, Paris in 1967 inspired him to study Egyptian jewellery techniques. He is the current President of The Society of Jewellery Historians, having held the position since February 2018. He has served as the Secretary General to the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), as Chief Executive of the National Association of Goldsmiths and as Chief Executive of the Gemological Association of Great Britain.

Diamonds: Brilliant Diplomacy

A talk by Jack Ogden, author of Diamonds; an early history of the king of gems and President of the Society of Jewellery Historians

On Thursday 5th March 2020

In the Mercer Gallery 6.30pm for 7pm

Fizz and Canapés on arrival

Jack Ogden will be treating the Friends to a light hearted talk that he last gave at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

India was the source of diamonds for the Classical, Islamic and Medieval European worlds. According to Indian, Roman and Arabic texts, diamond was the gem of kings long before it became a symbol of wealth and power for European royalty. Naturally, important diamonds played a part in international diplomacy. Jack’s talk will provide an overview of the history of the diamond, its trade and the development of its cutting, and explain how two important Indian diamonds played a part in East-West diplomacy. One being used in an attempt keep Mohammed Ali of Egypt from helping the Ottoman Sultan during the
Greek War of Independence, the other helping to thwart Napoleon’s ambitions against British India.
This is destined to be a sparkling, entertaining evening for both the
gem and history lovers amongst us all!
Tickets £15 Friends, £20 non Friends

For more information or to book a ticket for this event, visit the following link:-

https://friendsofthemercerartgallery.co.uk/events.php

To read the article in English. ogdenharrogate.co.uk